Healing Us: Sports Romance, A Comeback Uncovers Love (3 page)

Beth was up early the next morning and saw Heather as she
was gathering her things for the track. She had thought about Ben from the moment
her head the pillow and only Heather’s voice was able to disturb her thoughts
both sweet and sour.

“You were asleep by the time I got home. I met the nicest
hurdler from Phoenix and one thing led to another. I don’t have to tell you
what happened but it was amazing and I have Ben to thank.”

“Ben, what about Ben?” Beth hadn’t heard most of Heather’s
story but the name Ben caught her attention.

“Ben shut me down when I made advances so I guess he wasn’t
up for having fun but he did introduce me to Cory. Ben has a stick up his ass
and after he told everyone about you’re needing a shrink, I was lucky he turned
me down.”

“Slow down Heather.” Beth laughed. “You’re talking a mile a
minute and it’s 5am.”

“I’m just hyped about trials which begin 40 days from today.
Can’t win a gold medal until you make the team and you never know if some
nobody from Kansas is waiting to ambush our dreams.”

“I think by now the competition is laid out and it’s time to
focus on nothing but the track. You may want to consider dialing it down a
notch, not to sound like a mother hen but I’ve been there. international
competition is a beast and it takes everything out of you.”

“I’m young Beth and you must forget what that’s like.”
Heather trotted off to her room.

****

Beth walked onto the practice track, which was intimidating
because she was surrounded by the best of the best. She saw Seth working with
some young women who would be competing in the 4x4 relay, which was something
she enjoyed until her accident. The American’s were counting on the four women
that they had and there was no room for a 5
^th
. Dixie waved from the
other side of the track where she was practicing the hurdles. Dixies glided
over the hurdles as if she were a gazelle. Beth found it hard to believe that
she had recently given birth because she didn’t have an ounce of fat on her.

“Nice; on time. That’s a good start to our working
together.” Seth smiled as he jaunted across the field to welcome Beth. “I’m a
stickler for promptness as you’ve probably heard. Most of the gossip about me
isn’t true but this is. I had a runner who was habitually tardy and I told her
to run back to her room because she was not coachable.  She’s here at Apex
still but she’s somebody’s else’s problem now.”

“Yeah, I outgrew my tardiness. It’s selfish when you think
your time is more important than someone else’s. I assume we’ll get started by
setting a baseline and working from there.”

“Not really, I don’t want you working on speed until we get
your form worked out because I hear from Jonathan that your stride needs
tinkering.”

“It does, I guess because I run differently since the
accident. I’m surprised that Jonathan even thought it was worth mentioning
because I don’t consider it a drawback. It’s hardly noticeable.”

Seth laced his arms across his chest. “Did you get a head
injury when you fell off your bike?”

“No Seth; my helmet was intact. I was just letting you know
that it’s no big deal.”

“Have you forgotten that every single detail matters at this
level. If you have no intention of winning, then you don’t belong here. We have
to use everything we can because you’re not a youngster and don’t forget that
making it to the games is only the first step towards Olympic gold. I would
apologize for being a hard ass but I won’t because that’s how I coach my
athletes. If you want to be handled with kid gloves, then head back to Oregon
and you can win local races until you’re 90.”

Beth didn’t respond because she realized that it wouldn’t do
any good. Seth was tough but that’s what she needed in order for her comeback
to be successful. Beth knew that every second that she thought about Ben would
take her focus away from running. He was just clearing the air by kissing her
so they could pursue their goals – after all, Ben had Lizzie and taking away
another woman’s man was not something she would do. It was frustrating because
the feeling of being in Ben’s strong arms was all she could think of. The
preoccupation with Elijah had vanished and all Beth could think about was Ben.
Before she knew it, her workout with Seth was complete and it was time to head
to the pool to be with Ben. Seth motioned her to come over.

“Nice job out there, Barker.” Seth said with a smile, which
made Beth wonder whether or not he had a split personality. “Your form is not
far from perfect so I was worried for no reason. I’m thinking of making a
change to the 4x4 line-up and I want your feedback.”

Beth was elated because she missed running the relay and she
thought if there was a spot open it would be hers. “You don’t have to say
another word – yes, yes, yes.”

“You’re fast
and
clairvoyant.” Seth laughed. “I’m
glad you saw what I saw in Heather Morgan. She got faster than I ever imagined
during her time away from the sport. Celia Crosby has been dealing with some
foot issues and I think Heather will blend nicely with the group.”

“Heather, oh, yes. My suitemate Heather. I thought – forget
what I thought because it’s a great move.” Beth wished a sinkhole would appear
beneath her feet and swallow her up. She tried hard to play along that she
thought choosing Heather for the relay team was a good idea. “When are you
going to deliver the good news?”

“I’m on my way over there if I can catch her. The girl’s
always on the move and I think we may have a gold medalist in our midst.”

Beth wanted to blurt out –
what about me?
Or run away
in tears but she did neither. “I have to meet Ben at the pool so I’ll plan on
seeing you tomorrow. I’m anxious to see where I’m at with my 1500 time.”

“You mean the 5000 because we said you would end up running
in the race where you were the most needed.”

Beth just shook her head and waved behind her back as she
scampered away. She had to pull it together because next she would be in the
pool with Ben where she’d have to pretend like nothing was bothering her. She
would have to conceal her attraction to her physical therapist which wouldn’t
be easy as they would be splashing around in the pool together. Hunky man in a
Speedo brushing up against her in the water would be push the limits. Beth took
a deep breath and walked into the facility.

Ben was sitting on the pool’s edge as he dangled his feet in
the water. Beth stood back because it appeared he was on a face chat and it was
probably Lizzie he was talking to because he was smiling and laughing. Beth saw
Ben make goofy faces into his phone which she thought was silly in an adult
relationship. Whatever works for them, Beth thought as she caught Ben’s eye. He
stood up and sure enough he was wearing a black Apex issued swimsuit, which was
the same one professional divers wore. Beth swallowed hard and looked away so
he wouldn’t notice her gawking. His chiseled abs and developed calf muscles
made it obvious that he hit the gym regularly. Ben no longer had a skinny
runner’s body and he looked like a cover model for a fitness magazine.

“Seth sent me vids of you in action today. It looks as if
I’ve got my work cut out for me because if you’re not sore after today then
you’re superhuman.”

“I’m fine for now but I can’t imagine I’ll be singing the
same tune in the morning.”

“Umm, are we cool after last night? I meant it as a sort of
ice breaker.”

“You managed to break the ice Ben. You actually crushed it
but it was just a moment and I’ve already pushed it to the back of my mind.
There it will collect dust and disappear like all of the other regretful
memories I have.”

“I’m sorry that you thought of it as regretful. I haven’t
stopped thinking about it since I left your apartment, which is not what I
intended. I had some residual feelings from years ago and I wish kissing you
sucked. It would have been easier to push it back in my head as you easily
did.”

“I didn’t say it was easy. I’m standing here in a bathing
suit and I’m cold. You must be freezing in that banana hammock so let’s jump
in.” Beth was trying to change the subject.

“I wear this thing for ease of movement. You weren’t
admiring my goods were you Beth?” Ben joked.

Beth laughed as she swam around to get acclimated to water.
“Do you miss Lizzie and wish she was here staying with you?”

Ben attached a heart monitor belt around Beth’s chest, just
below her boobs. “Yes, I miss Lizzie every day but she’s happy with my brother
who provides her with everything she needs.”

Gross, Beth thought. It was beginning to sound as if he and
his brother were sharing Lizzie. If that were the case, then she had misjudged
Ben. He always seemed borderline geeky and by no means kinky. In fact, he
didn’t even have a girlfriend that Beth knew of at CCU but it appeared as if he
had changed drastically. If he had been into threesomes all along he sure hid
it well.

“Beth, are you with me? You seem to be lost in thought.”

“No, I’m here, it must be this schedule, which is non-stop.
I shouldn’t be complaining because I dreamed of a comeback as I was rehabbing.
I shouldn’t be asking about Lizzie because she’s none of my business.”

“You might get to meet her if you want because my brother
Monte is bringing her to Utah next week. It’ll be the last time I see her
before the team heads to Oslo for the trials.”

“You and Monte are going to hang out with Lizzie together?”
Beth asked.

“Yeah, that’s how we roll. We’re like a posse and trying to
make the best of an imperfect situation. Lizzie’s happy and it’s all my brother
and I care about.”

“I get ya Ben but I want to focus on this hydro therapy that
you’re so excited about.”

“You worked hard today and your muscles will recover quickly
just being in the pool because all of the weight is off your joints. As we’ve
been chatting I’ve been monitoring your blood pressure and heartrate. Just
being in the pool agrees with your body. I think you’re the ideal candidate for
this type of therapy and I get the benefit of seeing you in a bathing suit.”

Beth chuckled. “Easy big guy; let’s keep this professional.”

“You’re right Beth but I won’t lie that it’s not easy.”

For an hour Ben led Beth through knee bends, extensions and
pushes. It felt as if Beth was taking ballet lessons underwater as she held on
to the bar. Ben brought in a weighted stepper and directed Beth to do exercises
that she was never able to master outside of the pool. As Beth proceeded
through the exercise routine it was hard not to notice Ben’s strong hands
manipulating her body with his magical fingers. He applied the right amount of
pressure and she even let out a moan at one point. Ben’s touch was like no
other she had experienced. Beth was nervous because her crush on Ben was
intensifying regardless of how hard she was trying to push it to the back of
her mind.

“I think we’re good for today Beth. I didn’t even ask how
you first day with Seth went. I imagine it was a breeze,” Ben said.

“Not exactly but I don’t want my therapy to be a bitch
session about what happened. I have my first session with the head doctor
tomorrow and I’ll address everything there.”

“I knew there was a reason your blood pressure was high when
you got here. Don’t let Seth get to you Beth. He has a hard edge because
winning is in his DNA; the guy has no off-switch. Seth is good at what he does
and being coached by the man is worth it in the long run.” Ben said as he
toweled off before they went into separate locker rooms.

“I know but being forced to run the 5000 when I’ve always
run the 1500 is tough to take,” Beth complained.

“The competition has changed since the last Olympics and
Seth is a master when it comes to looking at the big picture.”

“After you shower, I’ll escort you to dinner; if you haven’t
already had enough of me.”

“No, I had better get used to you and it will be fun to
watch Heather as she works the room.” Beth laughed.

“Yeah, that girl is on the hunt and she has a bevy of fit
men to choose from. Heather’s hot but she’s not my type.”

“What is your type Ben?” Beth asked.

Ben shook his head and smiled. “I can’t believe you haven’t
figured it out yet.” Ben disappeared into the men’s locker room.

Beth thought he meant that Lizzie was his type. She looked
forward to sneaking a peak of the woman when she came to town. As Beth changed
into the slightly wrinkled clothes she had in her bag she couldn’t help but
think of Ben. While she was in college Beth didn’t give him a second look,
which was turning out to be a huge mistake. He was fit, handsome and funny –
someone that she was thinking about even when she wasn’t with him. Her
bitchiness and feelings of self-importance were parts of her former self that
made her cringe when she thought about them. Now Ben had found Lizzie and it
was too late to make up for past deeds. It would have to be friendship between
her and Ben which was better than nothing she supposed.